Canada Wildlife & Biodiversity

A Nature Lover’s Paradise of Rich Wildlife

Canada is blessed with a vast array of wildlife species that are dependent on the country’s expansive land and water areas. It is estimated that Canada is home to 140,000 species, with half yet to be identified! Our Wildlife Rescue Internship Project offers an unparalleled opportunity to get up close and personal with many of these species.

Several iconic Canadian animals inhabit the varied landscapes. These include the Vancouver Island marmot, the Atlantic puffin, the barren-ground caribou, and the whooping crane. Forested areas, especially the boreal forests, boast the most species diversity. However, the mountains, grasslands, and tundra also harbour various creatures. Threats to these habitats put numerous species under pressure, making the preservation of Canada’s unique biodiversity a significant task for future generations.

The Ecological Zones of Canada

Despite its diversity, Canadian wildlife mainly corresponds to a few distinct ecological zones – the tundra, the forests, and the grasslands (prairies). Each hosts its impressive scenery and poses unique environmental challenges.

The northern parts of the country constitute the Arctic tundra, where vegetation is sparse, and the ecosystems are delicate. A few species reside here permanently, including seals, polar bears, and snowy owls.

The largest forested area in Canada is the boreal forest, home to species like moose, beavers, black bears, Canadian lynx, blue jays, ravens, and Canadian jays. Canada’s boreal zone also shelters threatened populations of wood bison, peregrine falcons, and woodland caribous. Other forested regions harbour everything from white-tailed deer, elk, and mountain sheep to smaller mammals like squirrels, raccoons, and pikas.

The prairies, or grasslands, present another crucial ecological region. Larger mammals, including mule deer and antelope, inhabit this area, alongside smaller grassland mammals like squirrels and pocket gophers.

Endemic Species of Canada

Apart from the species mentioned above, Canada houses numerous endemic species found nowhere else in the world. These include mammals such as the eastern wolf, Vancouver Island marmot, wood bison, and Peary caribou; birds like the Pacific Steller’s jay; and fish species such as the Banff longnose dace, Atlantic whitefish, and Vancouver lamprey.

Many of these unique species inhabit Canada’s distinctive ecosystems, including the Athabasca sand dunes of Saskatchewan, the Great Northern and Avalon peninsulas of Newfoundland, and isolated islands like Vancouver Island, Sable Island, or Haida Gwaii.

Canada’s unique fauna and flora face numerous threats, including habitat loss, over-exploitation, pollution, invasion of alien species, and climate change. Efforts are being made to protect both habitats and species, but it’s crucial to maintain this momentum for the future preservation of Canada’s biodiversity.

Join Our Wildlife Rescue Internship Project

Our Wildlife Rescue Internship Project offers an unparalleled opportunity to work closely with many of these unique species.

Located in British Columbia, this project specialises in the care of mammals and is one of the province’s only three bear rehabilitation facilities. Over 30 years, the project has assisted a vast number of injured and orphaned animals, saving over 50,000 individuals.

As a volunteer, you may work with various animals such as squirrels, raccoons, otters, beavers, skunks, opossums, hares, weasels, coyotes, deer, and black bears.

For a deeper understanding of Canada’s varied landscapes and climate, visit our Geography & Climate page. To discover the rich history and culture of Canada, head over to our History & Culture page.